BIOGRAPHY

Considered by experts to be Saints greatest ever prop forward, James combined powerful runs, hard tackling, great hands and boundless energy to become leader of the pack in the first decade of the twenty first century.

The 2008 season was a landmark year for James Graham as he was named Man of Steel, Writers Player of the Year. Furthermore, he was the only Brit in the World XIII and named best prop in the world. Such accolades truly reflected his dominance over opposition as the season unfolded. That year the Saints suffered a series of injuries in the forward positions at the start of the season. It was left to James to lead the charge and keep the side on the front foot with powerful charges as he played for the vast majority of match time. When his colleagues returned and provided full support, James maintained his efforts throughout the campaign.

As a junior player Jammer was marked for great things and at a tender age he had already become the real go to player of the Saints. His father, steeped in Rugby League as a former Cumbrian player, introduced James to the game. He signed with the Club as a junior in 2000, progressing through the junior ranks before making his debut against Castleford Tigers in August 2003. His leadership qualities were always in evidence and he captained England Academy in a famous series victory in Australia the following year.

Super League X proved to be a real breakthrough season for the Liverpool-born Evertonian, making 27 appearances and being named Saints Young Player of the Year, for his mature, powerful performances. His tryscoring feats did not go unnoticed as he collected 35 tries by the midpoint of the 2009 season.

James played in a side that was dominating the game and in his first five full seasons James collected a Super League winners ring, three Challenge Cup winners medals as the Saints finished top of the pile four seasons in succession. In the international scene 2008 yielded more accolades with his powerful performances in the World Cup earning rave reviews from all over the world.

Jammer was virtually always ahead of his contemporaries when statistics were rolled out on metres gained, tackle busts and tackles. He often remained on the field for the whole eighty minutes, unusual for a prop forward at the time. James was a natural leader who led the Saints around the park and relived pressure from his team mates when the Saints found themselves under the cosh. There was rarely a more passionate player for the Saints and he would have strong words to say if he thought that a soft try had been scored against the men in the red vee.

His ability was richly rewarded with club, international and personal accolades. In his time at the Saints he won three Challenge Cup medals, a Grand Final ring and was voted the Man of Steel as the best player in the sport. In addition he was invariably one of the first names on the team sheet when England made its international selections.

The 2011 season was a real roller coaster for all the team. Not only had the club got to contend with playing all their home matches at Widnes, following the sale of Knowsley Road, but a series of injuries threatened to derail the quest for silverware.

Never the less the players responded magnificently by reaching an eleventh consecutive Challenge Cup Semi-Final and a record breaking sixth successive Grand Final. However, a sour taste of disappointment featured as the Saints lost to Wigan in the Challenge Cup and Leeds came back strongly in the last twenty minutes of the Grand Final to dampen the spirits. The season was marked by the emergence of young players who cemented their positions in the first team and demanded their inclusion in the big games. These youngsters needed strong leadership and James Graham provided that quality. It was a crying shame that such effort and commitment went unrewarded for his last three seasons at the club. When he left the UK shores to take up a contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs, James went with the best wishes of all connected with the club and undying gratitude for his monumental efforts in the red vee.